Ceiling fan with quick-connect blade connector

Abstract

A ceiling fan assembly for mounting to a structure, the ceiling fan assembly comprising: a motor having a rotor assembly, which rotates about a rotational axis, and a stator assembly that is stationary relative to the rotational axis; at least one blade assembly having a root assembly; and a connector assembly comprising: a pocket carried by the rotor assembly, a tab carried by the at least one blade assembly and received within the pocket, and a tensioner to secure the tab within the pocket.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ceiling fan assembly for mounting to a structure, the ceiling fan assembly comprising:
 a motor having a rotor assembly, which rotates about a rotational axis, and a stator assembly that is stationary relative to the rotational axis; 
 at least one blade assembly having a root assembly; and 
 a connector assembly comprising:
 a pocket located within the rotor assembly, 
 a tab carried by the at least one blade assembly and received within the pocket, 
 a first ramp and a second ramp in opposing relation within the pocket to define a throat within the pocket, with the throat oriented at an angle relative to the pocket, 
 a first tensioner and a second tensioner in opposition relative to the pocket and bearing against the tab, when it is received within the pocket, such that the first tensioner applies a first pressure to the tab and the second tensioner applies a second pressure to the tab. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first tensioner comprises at least one first spring finger, the tab comprises at least one channel, and the at least one first spring finger is biased against a floor of the channel to apply the first pressure, and the at least one first spring finger abuts a side of the channel to apply the second pressure. 
     
     
       3. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 2  wherein the at least one first spring finger comprises a pair of first spring fingers and the at least one channel comprises a pair of corresponding channels, with one of the first spring fingers received in a corresponding one of the channels. 
     
     
       4. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 3  wherein the pair of channels are separated by a rib and the pair of first spring fingers are separated by an alignment channel receiving the rib. 
     
     
       5. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 4  wherein the pair of first spring fingers abut the rib. 
     
     
       6. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 2  wherein at least one first spring finger has a width that is commensurate with a width of the at least one channel. 
     
     
       7. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 6  wherein the at least one first spring finger comprises a lateral extension defining the width. 
     
     
       8. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 2  wherein the second tensioner comprises at least one second spring finger bearing again the tab to apply the second pressure. 
     
     
       9. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 8  wherein the at least one second spring finger abuts the tab at a location deeper within the pocket than where the at least one first spring finger abuts the tab. 
     
     
       10. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 9  wherein the at least one first spring finger and the at least one second spring finger abut opposite sides of the tab. 
     
     
       11. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 10  wherein the tab comprises at least one channel and the at least first spring finger abuts a floor of the at least one channel to apply the first pressure. 
     
     
       12. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 11  wherein the at least one first spring finger abuts a wall of the channel to apply the second pressure. 
     
     
       13. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 12  wherein the at least one first spring finger has a portion with a width commensurate with a width of the channel to apply the second pressure. 
     
     
       14. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 8  wherein the at least one second spring finger comprises a pair of spaced seconding spring fingers defining a spring finger gap therebetween, and the at least one first spring finger comprises a pair of spaced first spring fingers that overly the spring finger gap. 
     
     
       15. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a first guide and a second guide in opposing and spaced relationship to define a mouth, a throat, and a notch for the pocket. 
     
     
       16. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 15  wherein the second pressure applied by the second tensioner biases the tab into the notch for a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
       17. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 16  wherein a location of the application of the second pressure is located deeper in the pocket than the location of the application of the first pressure. 
     
     
       18. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 17  wherein the second guide and the second tensioner define a floor for the pocket, with the tab resting on the floor when inserted within the pocket. 
     
     
       19. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 18  wherein a portion of the tab is received in the notch when the tab is inserted within the pocket. 
     
     
       20. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first tensioner applies the first pressure and the second pressure. 
     
     
       21. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first ramp, the second ramp, the first tensioner, the second tensioner, and the tab are arranged such that the tab is first inserted through the throat at an angle relative to the pocket and then the tab is rotated against at least one of the first and second pressures into a fully inserted position. 
     
     
       22. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first tensioner has a portion extending into the pocket. 
     
     
       23. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 22  wherein the second tensioner has a portion extending into the pocket. 
     
     
       24. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first pressure is in opposition to the second pressure. 
     
     
       25. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first ramp and second ramp have opposing and parallel surfaces defining the throat. 
     
     
       26. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a landing extending from the second ramp and at least partially defining a mouth for the pocket. 
     
     
       27. The ceiling fan assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first ramp and second ramp at least partially define a notch for the pocket.